Lactic Acid Energy System example essay topic

Kayaking utilises all of the 3 energy systems over different duration's of time, and throughout different intensity's of exercise. At any one time, all 3 energy systems are in use, however, the emphasis between each is proportional and related to the nature of exercise. The ATP-PC system is used for short, sharp intensities of exercise, which produce a lot of work or force over a small period of time. The lactic acid system is used for longer duration's, of a lesser intensity. The aerobic system is different; as it requires oxygen rather than stored energy to perform various exercises.

This system becomes effective as the dominant source of energy a lot longer than the two anaerobic systems, and is sued for much longer duration's of minor intensity. a.) Typically, the ATP-PC system becomes most effective at supplying the body with energy between 5 and 10 seconds. This is where the peak energy production occurs and is used for several different Kayaking manoeuvres. The ATP-PC system is also closely linked to fitness components including muscular strength, muscular power, speed, agility and reaction time. The majority of kayaking's most basic skills; when taught to cognitive learners like myself, are broken down into part practice which require tedious but small repetitive actions. These are typically performed in between 3 to 10 seconds, like the sweep stroke action, the proper-action for the forwards and backwards stroke and even short rescue manoeuvres like the Eskimo roll, as it would have taken less than 20 seconds of fairly intense body movement.

These little exercise would utilise the ATP-PC system either on their own, or in conjunction with slow steady paddling. In regards to this slow steady paddling, if the kayak starts to turn to the left sharply, then I am required to perform a quick and hard sweep stroke on the left hand side - pushing the hardest at the last stage of the stroke. Another time when the emphasis between the 3 systems is predominantly ATP-PC during exercise would be when we are performing an emergency stop. This requires us to paddle as fast as we can towards a fixed object and then paddle in reverse as strongly as possible once given a cue, so that we end up moving in reverse after 4 little jab strokes into the water.

Kayaking is classified as a gentle form of exercise, which has, at times, short little manoeuvres which only take between 5 and 20 seconds to perform, with maximum effort or intensity. For exercise of this duration, and of a fairly high intensity, the ATP-PC system would have been the dominant supplier of energy to the body. b.) The anaerobic lactic acid system would be utilised for exercise intensities less than that of the ATP-PC system, but of a slightly longer duration. These would typically occur over 30 - 45 seconds of hard exercise, for maximum energy production. However, the lactic system can last up to 2 minutes before the Aerobic system becomes the dominant energy supplier. The lactic acid energy system is closely linked with several fitness components like anaerobic power, local muscular endurance, speed, and muscular power.

In Kayaking, lactic acid system would be used for activities like moderate to hard bursts of speed, going through thick scrub or even in a full in water rescue situation, as these are of a moderate intensity and performed in and around 1 minute. Short friendly races or sprints would require me to paddle at almost maximum intensity; up to and around one minutes duration. This sort of movement or group of actions has a duration too long for that of the ATP-PC system and is too much of an intensity for the aerobic system. This means that sprints and short races require use of the body's lactic acid energy system. Going through thick scrub, like Murray Bridge's "Lovers Lane" requires careful movement and Kayak stability in order to go through without hitting trees or capsizing. This requires continuous direction corrections like sweep strokes, or even draw strokes and different speed.

Because all fo these actions are performed If I continue to paddle at this same moderate to hard intensity, I can really start to feel tight pain in my arms and shoulders, (depending on the effectiveness of my action). This is an indication that the lactic acid system is accumulating lactic acid in the muscles, and the intensity must be dropped if I don't want to hit the wall and over step my lactate threshold.